Harford official accused of battery gets trial moved

Harford County Councilman Mark Decker, accused of battery and a fourth-degree sexual offense of a former county employee, will be tried in Baltimore County.

Mr. Decker's attorney, Augustus F. Brown of Bel Air, asked for the venue change and special prosecutor Stephen R. Roscher, a Baltimore County assistant state's attorney, has agreed, according to officials of both courts.

In addition, all four Harford Circuit Court judges have recused themselves from hearing the case.

Mr. Decker's attorneys cited pretrial publicity as a reason for requesting the trial in another jurisdiction. The charges against Mr. Decker were filed in July by a former county custodian who alleges that he approached her outside County Council chambers in February and touched her breast.